....after all ..... why should I hypothetically prepare lessons if the parents want to bog off on a cheapo deal - I get paid shite too and I don't get the luxury of having out-of-season holidays ...... I barely get a free evening because I'm marking and planning - and catching up on absentees, setting work for catch up - as are all but 2 weeks of my annual leave.

So what would you say if your kids teacher was so goddamed rude as to bugger off on holiday ???

Can totally see where you're coming from but also can see why parents want to be able to make these decisions (like they used to be able to) without having to beg the school for permission like, er, well, naughty school children!

Couldn't you speak to the parents of kids in your class - get them all to take their kids out/call them in sick, then you won't have any kids to teach so can take some legitimate time off without feeling guilty?

Yes you are ebing unreasonable lots of kids depend on you so if a few take a week off here and there it is not that big a deal - if you take a couple of weeks off it effects a lot of kids.

Plus I think the issue of you only having 2 weeks where you aren't doing anything is to do with time management rather than you being over worked - all fo the teachers I know get more than 2 weeks free of work a year.

No, but graduates with similar qualifications get 2-3 times more initially! I know very few public sector workers - education/NHS/police etc who would say that they do it for the money, otherwise they would be working in similar jobs in the private sector and earning much more.

Isn't the arguement really with the holiday providers? Both teachers and teaching assistants are on the same side as the parents - wanting the best education for their children. Parents want to expand that education by taking their children away to places new, to show them other things - it is all education. But if the holiday companies hike the prices, then boycott the holiday companies. Simples?

Oh do fuck off, who twisted your arm to become a teacher? I wouldn't personally take DD out during term time, and I certainly wouldn't expect you to 'throw a sickie' because that is a crap example to set.

I'm a community nurse, I don't go around purposely cancelling appointments in retaliation to my patient's cancellations, because I am a professional, not playing tit for tat, and I realise that people's lives equate to more than just their interactions with me and the NHS.